Valencia double helps Ecuador cruise past Qatar in World Cup opener

Monday, 21 November 2022 06:42

By Reuters

Ecuador eased past World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 from veteran striker Enner Valencia

Ecuador's all-time top scorer, nicknamed "Superman" at home, scored an early penalty and added a well-taken 31st-minute header to give the South Americans a commanding first-half lead as the home side froze with the enormity of the occasion.

Fans dressed in national soccer jerseys carrying Ecuadorean flags in honor of the team known as the "Tricolor", filling restaurants, squares and shopping centers in various parts of the nation to encourage the team with the traditional slogan of "Yes we can."

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